Is infrared cheaper than storage heaters?

Both are resistive electric heating, so per kWh they're similar. Infrared can cost less in practice because you heat only occupied rooms at the times you need them, rather than storing and leaking heat all day.

Are storage heaters being phased out?

Old storage heaters are increasingly replaced with more controllable electric options as smart tariffs make instant electric heating more manageable.

Do I need a special tariff for infrared?

No, but a time-of-use or off-peak tariff can meaningfully reduce running costs for any electric heating, including infrared.

Infrared heating vs storage heaters

Quick answer

Infrared heating vs storage heaters?

Both are electric and resistive, so neither beats a heat pump on efficiency — but infrared gives instant, controllable, zonal heat, while storage heaters release heat on a fixed cycle and often waste it during the day. For most homes on old storage heaters, infrared is a more comfortable, more controllable upgrade, especially on a time-of-use tariff.

Side by side

	Infrared	Storage heaters
Control	Instant on/off, per-room thermostats	Charges overnight, limited daytime control
Wasted heat	Only heat when you need it	Can leak stored heat during the day when out
Warm-up	Immediate radiant warmth	Depends on the overnight charge
Upfront cost	Comparable, slim wall panels	Bulky units
Tariff	Works well with flexible/off-peak tariffs	Designed around Economy 7
Best for	Upgrading old electric heating	Homes committed to overnight-only charging

Our honest verdict

If you're replacing old storage heaters, infrared almost always gives better comfort and control. The running cost depends on your tariff — pairing infrared with a smart time-of-use tariff is the way to keep electric-heating costs down.

Frequently asked questions

Reviewed by the Infrared Heat Solutions technical team · Last updated July 2026 · Data sources: Energy Saving Trust, Ofgem, gov.uk Boiler Upgrade Scheme

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